NSW Central and North Coast vs Katherine

NSW Central and North Coast and Katherine are two vast regions separated by over 2,600 kilometres. There are stark differences in the lives of First Nations people in these areas. For First Nations residents, the typical personal income is far higher in NSW Central and North Coast at $579 compared to $281 in Katherine. Educational and employment outcomes also differ, with Year 12 completion far higher in NSW Central and North Coast at 34.2% versus 16.2% in Katherine, while the First Nations unemployment rate is far higher in Katherine at 23.1%. In contrast, First Nations languages are far more common in Katherine, where 69.8% of people speak one, compared to 3.9% in NSW Central and North Coast.

Both regions have seen their accessibility and amenity patterns track differently since 2011. NSW Central and North Coast is somewhat walkable, with 79.3% of homes within a 10 minute walk of public transport. Katherine is mostly car-dependent, and no homes are within a 10 minute walk of public transport. While Katherine has a higher share of homes within a 15 minute walk of a school, NSW Central and North Coast has a far higher share of homes within a 15 minute walk of groceries and health services.